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The Kansas City Chiefs are beginning their pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl without running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who has been placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list due to ongoing struggles with PTSD and mental health challenges. In a rare move, the Chiefs have opted to continue paying Edwards-Helaire's salary, despite league rules that would allow them to withhold his wages during this time.
The decision has garnered widespread approval from both fans and players. When the news was shared on social media by ML Football, it quickly gained attention, with Chiefs Defensive Tackle Chris Jones calling the move "classy" in a repost.
This sparked a wave of positive responses, with many praising the Chiefs and the Hunt family, who own the team, for their comionate approach. Fans highlighted how unusual it is for an NFL team to continue paying a player not obligated to be paid, with one calling it "a great example" of prioritizing mental health.
"Chiefs are always ahead of the game when it comes to how they treat their players," an X wrote.
Another added: "Let's Geaux. Props to the Chiefs for taking care of a hometown hero. Clyde is a good man. Prayers for him and his family."
Struggled with mental health issues
Edwards-Helaire's mental health struggles can be traced back to a traumatic event in 2018, while he was still playing college football at LSU.
The incident involved a fatal shooting, which Edwards-Helaire described as "a self-defense situation," and it has continued to impact him over the years.
Edwards-Helaire, who re-signed with the Chiefs earlier this year, was a first-round draft pick in 2020 and quickly became a key player in his rookie season.
However, his role has diminished, with last season marking a career low in performance as Isiah Pacheco emerged as the team's leading rusher.